Good morning and welcome to The Sprout, where we know full well the comfort of a good home cooked meal can make anyone’s day – including Olympians.

Now, here’s today’s agriculture news.

The Lead:

SPCA officials from Ontario are heading to the United States to lend a helping hand after officials in Massachusetts discovered a horrific farm animal cruelty case. More than 1,000 animals, including pigs, horses, rabbits, calves, sheep, cows, cats, dogs and fish are being treated for signs of abuse.

American officials have said several dead animals were found on the Westport property, while the animals are showing clear signs of neglect – with many having no access to food or water. It is the largest-ever farm animal cruelty case in the United States. The Canadian Press has the story.

In Canada:

The federal government will not ban open-net fish farms, fisheries minister Dominic LeBlanc said Tuesday. During a press conference, the minister insisted the protection of Canada’s wild salmon stocks is the “top priority” for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, but said more research is needed into whether the open net farms pose a threat to the wild salmon stocks. The Times Columnist has the details.

A berry farm in Newfoundland is the latest produce farm to be hit by thieves. As CBC News reports, someone broke into into Campbellton Berry Farm in central Newfoundland and stole about $300 worth of raspberries and jam.

The number of licensed grain elevators has dropped in Western Canada since the end of the Canadian Wheat Board, new statistics from the Canadian Grain Commission show. The Western Producer has the story.

Internationally:

The Chinese government has backed the commercialization of GMO soybeans within the next five years as part of the government’s efforts to increase the country’s agriculture efficiency. As Reuters reports, China, which has spent billions of dollars researching GMO crops, has already embraced the technology for cotton but has not yet permitted the cultivation of any biotech food crops amid fears from some consumers over perceived health risks.

U.S. agri-giant Cargill says it has stopped using antibiotics critical for humans in its turkeys. As Reuters reports, the company said it has not used the drug gentamicin to prevent disease in turkeys that supply its two biggest brands, Honeysuckle White and Shady Brook Farms, since Aug. 1.